There comes a point in every NFL offseason where it's clear the regular season just needs to begin. We've officially hit that point after former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers trade quarterback Russell Wilson and go in a different direction under center.
Tannenbaum was on ESPN's "Get Up" on Wednesday morning and suggested the Steelers trade Russell Wilson to the Minnesota Vikings and sign quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Of course, Tannehill had a ton of success under Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith when the pair were with the Tennessee Titans, so that's where the connection comes from.
"I think a win-win here is to trade Russell Wilson to Minnesota," Tannenbaum said. "I think he's a better quarterback than Sam Darnold. They certainly could battle it out.
"And then, Ryan Tannehill is still a free agent, guys, and you go back to the two years that Ryan Tannehill was with Arthur Smith at Tennessee, they had an unbelievable two-year run. 18-8, they averaged 30 points per game.
"Let him come in and at least initially back up Justin Fields. But now you have Justin Fields, who we already said is young, you have Ryan Tannehill, who knows the system and has done a great job with Arthur Smith in the past, and maybe you pick up an extra third- or fourth-round pick."
.@realtannenbaum thinks the Steelers should trade Russell Wilson to the Vikings and sign Ryan Tannehill 😯
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 21, 2024
“A win-win here is to trade Russell Wilson to Minnesota. I think he’s a better quarterback than Sam Darnold. They certainly can battle it out.” pic.twitter.com/wfpAkerqlt
The Vikings recently lost 2024 first-round pick and quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending injury, but it was always likely that Sam Darnold was going to start anyway. Wilson would definitely offer some competition for Darnold and beating him out for the starting job would certainly be a realistic scenario.
However, assuming the Steelers would even consider giving up on Wilson this fast and this late in the offseason after he has been the projected starter for months, it's probably wishful thinking he would net a third- or fourth-round pick in a trade after what we've seen from him the past few years and in this preseason.
As far as Tannehill is concerned, he's not going to solve the Steelers' biggest issue right now, which is pass protection. Yes, Wilson didn't play well in his preseason debut, but poor blocking played a big role.
In his last two years with the Titans, Tannehill struggled mightily behind a bad offensive line. Signing him would amount to a lateral move, at best, if the offensive line isn't playing up to snuff.
Tannenbaum isn't the only former NFL general manager who has suggested the Steelers sign Tannehill recently, as ex-Cleveland Browns GM Michael Lombardi also floated the idea on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday.
Could we see Tannehill as a Steeler in 2024? It's possible, but only if Wilson and/or Fields gets hurt. Until then, the Steelers are going to roll with the guys currently on the roster.
